Bacterial "presisters" - Antibiotic tolerance in action
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sheffield
Department Name: Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Abstract
The spread of antibiotic resistance is alarming. An important phenomenon is called "persistence" whereby a small proportion of the bacteria are able to survive antibiotics due to their physiological status (slow or nongrowing),
leading to treatment failure. Studies are hampered by our inability to identify potential "persisters". Using a new technique to fluorescently label nascent cell wall synthesis we have developed the ability to monitor the physiological status of every individual cell within an entire population. This has identified a small proportion of "nongrowers" and oscillating "stop-start growers". Thus for the first time we can identify potential "persisters" within a population as "presisters" before antibiotic
intervention, via their fluorescent labeling pattern. This permits the molecular basis of their status to be determined and targeted by novel approaches.
leading to treatment failure. Studies are hampered by our inability to identify potential "persisters". Using a new technique to fluorescently label nascent cell wall synthesis we have developed the ability to monitor the physiological status of every individual cell within an entire population. This has identified a small proportion of "nongrowers" and oscillating "stop-start growers". Thus for the first time we can identify potential "persisters" within a population as "presisters" before antibiotic
intervention, via their fluorescent labeling pattern. This permits the molecular basis of their status to be determined and targeted by novel approaches.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/M011151/1 | 30/09/2015 | 29/09/2023 | |||
| 1723680 | Studentship | BB/M011151/1 | 30/09/2015 | 29/09/2019 |